Data Analysis - Precipitation

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Data Analysis - Precipitation

Data Analysis - Precipitation
The Data Analysis section is intended to encourage students to practice describing and interpreting patterns in spatial data.

This activity contains 5 questions.

For this section, you will be reviewing and analyzing global precipitation data. It is derived from a number of different satellite sensors and computed in the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Laboratory for Atmospheres as part of the Global Precipitation Climatology Project. [source]

The data is configured as a scrolling movie of monthly maps from September 1998 through August 2002. You can either left click the link provided (it will open in a separate browser window) or you can right click and select "Save Target As" to save it on your computer and open it locally. You should use free Quicktime software to view this with optimal flexibility.

This is the color key to the maps.

After you become familiar with how to view this movie, stop it at September 1998. Describe the general global pattern of precipitation for this month. Where is precipitation high? Where is precipitation low? Do the high and low precipitation areas correspond with any climatic phenomena that might help explain the patterns?

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

Now, run the movie through several cycles. What is the pattern of change that you observe as the months pass by? Describe (do not explain yet) these shifts as thoroughlly as you can.

Now, starting with the obvious band of precipitation found at or near the Equator, explain the seasonal shift. How does declination, sun angle, and surface heating factor in to the shift? (Hint: The low latitude precipitation is generally convectional.)

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

Continue scrutinizing this low latitude band of precipitation as you watch the movie. Can you see the heavy monsoon precipitation arrive in South and Southeast Asia? What time of year does it tend to arrive? Out of the five monsoon seasons in this movie, which seems to have been the rainiest? The dryest?

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

Now, do the same analysis for Northern Australia. What patterns do you see? What is the timing? Is rainfall as heavy in Northern Australia as in South and Southeast Asia?

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

What is the approximate latitude of the large dry zones? What pressure system likely causes them? Do they shift with the seasons? What direction?

To create paragraphs in your essay response, type <p> at the beginning of the paragraph, and </p> at the end.

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